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SB 487

CHARITABLE GAMING: Provides for the Charitable Raffles, Bingo and Keno Licensing Law. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Owen

Charitable gaming leases must be in writing and mutually agreed, prohibiting revenue-based or profit-based rent, while preserving reasonable market-rate limits.

Becomes Act No. 940 without the Governor's signature.
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Bill Summary · SB 487

Summary of Bill SB 487 (Louisiana) – 2026 Regular Session

Jurisdiction: Louisiana | Topic: Charitable Gaming – Raffles, Bingo, and Keno Licensing Law

Effective Date: August 1, 2026

Sponsor: Senator Owen

1) Purpose and Intent

  • SB 487 amends the Charitable Raffles, Bingo and Keno Licensing Law (Louisiana Revised Statutes §§ 4:715(A)(7) and 4:719(B)).
  • The core change requires that rental agreements for premises or equipment used in charitable gaming be memorialized in writing, mutually agreed to by both parties, and avoid arrangements tied to gross receipts or profits.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Written, mutual agreements for leases (new requirement):
    • The bill specifies that any lease or other rental arrangement for charitable gaming premises or equipment must be:
    • Mutually agreed to by the parties, and
    • In writing.
  • Rental rate restrictions unchanged in substance, but clarified with new requirements:
    • Existing rule prohibiting rental payments in excess of the reasonable market rental rate remains.
    • The prohibition on tying payments to a percentage of gross receipts or profits remains.
  • Commercial lessor provisions:
    • Under current law, leases from commercial lessors to charitable organizations for charitable gaming cannot exceed reasonable market rental rates and must align with local licensing ordinances.
    • SB 487 retains these protections but adds the requirement that such leases be mutually agreed to in writing.
  • Minimum session length retained:
    • The existing rule that leases must cover at least a two-hour gaming session remains in place, with clarifying language that the mutual, written agreement applies to the lease or other rental agreement.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Charitable organizations operating games of chance (raffles, bingo, keno) in Louisiana.
  • Commercial lessors offering premises or equipment rental for charitable gaming sessions.
  • Local licensing authorities that establish and enforce reasonable market rental rates and session minimums.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.
  • All existing leases or rental arrangements effective on or after this date will be subject to the new written-mutual-agreement requirement.
  • The bill amends and reenacts R.S. 4:715(A)(7) and 719(B) to codify the new standard.
  • Legislative history shows standard sequential readings and committee actions typical for Louisiana Senate bills, with amendments to require written mutual agreements.

5) Practical Impact and Considerations

  • Ensures greater clarity and enforceability of rental terms between charitable organizations and landlords.
  • Aims to prevent undisclosed or informal lease terms that could enable inflated rents or conflicts of interest.
  • Maintains protections against revenue-based rental arrangements, preserving the intended fit between market rates and charitable gaming activities.
  • Minor operational impact for organizations and landlords: leases must be documented in writing and mutually agreed before use.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief comparison to current law with a before/after bullet list or help draft a plain-language outline for public distribution.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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